The certification process involves an in-depth, on-site review of a facility’s adherence to internationally recognized Standards and Guidelines for Medical Fitness Facilities. The Medical Fitness Association Facility Certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the health and wellness industry.

“We are proud to join a select group of industry leaders who are committed to improving health and promoting wellness through exercise. The certification process has taken two years to prepare and represents a real team effort between our staff and volunteers.” said Eric Good, Director, Powell Wellness Center.

As an MFA certified facility, co-medical directors, Drs. Armin Aalami Harandi and Brevard Wallace provide oversight for Powell Wellness Center’s medical fitness programs. A volunteer Medical Advisory Committee also advises staff in the development and oversight of fitness programs designed for people with chronic health conditions like obesity, heart disease, Parkinson’s, arthritis and more.

“The importance of offering this integrated wellness approach across all age groups and income levels is vital to our community in helping to achieve better health both mentally and physically,” said Dr. Brevard Wallace, Medical Director, Powell Wellness Center. “This certification continues to advance our original vision for providing an atmosphere that allows all-around wellness for the entire community.”

Powell Wellness Center provides fitness scholarships for people who are referred by their physician, meet income guidelines and actively participate in the program.

Powell Wellness Center Advisory Board Chair, Tripp Butler, has personal experience with the facility and said, “I am very excited about this important achievement at the Powell Wellness Center. I have seen firsthand the impact Powell has on our community. In addition to my own activity at PWC, a local physician prescribed participation in the “Fit Scripts” program for a family member. Fit Scripts is a supervised exercise program that is a great way for people to increase their activity and improve overall health. The positive, supportive atmosphere and variety of classes at Powell Wellness Center is impacting my family in a very humbling way.”

Recently an Advisory Board member asked Mr. Good what MFA certification means to the members at Powell Wellness Center. He responded, “That’s a great question. MFA certification requires that our staff have industry-specific credentials to insure high quality programming. It also means that we work closely with local physicians to help our members prevent illness and chronic disease, recover more quickly and completely after a medical event and that our staff are well-trained in emergency response and ensuring member safety. PWC is one of only three certified facilities in Virginia and offers a member experience that simply isn’t available elsewhere in our region.”

About Powell Wellness Center

Powell Wellness Center is a medically-integrated health and wellness center located in Culpeper, VA, and offers an array of health, fitness, and wellness classes and programs. The entire staff at Powell Wellness Center is dedicated to helping its members and those in the community it serves to achieve the many benefits of regular exercise, physical activity, and leading a preventive lifestyle.

About the Medical Fitness Association

The Medical Fitness Association is a not for profit member organization, whose purpose is to lead in the development and operational success of medically integrated fitness centers impacting the “global health continuum of care” by providing research, industry standards, operational guidelines, educational programming, benchmarking, outcome measurements, professional development, and networking opportunities accomplished through its webinar series, regional meetings, Medical Fitness Institute, Annual Conference, certifications and publications.